The United States healthcare system is facing numerous challenges, from skyrocketing costs to poor performance outcomes. The existing structure of the healthcare industry is not stable, with costs continuing to rise and little improvement in overall performance. In order to address these issues, a new approach to organizing the healthcare industry is needed.
Rather than being organized by functions such as Clinical Health Services and Behavioral Health Services, the industry could benefit from being organized by disease management. By restructuring the system to focus on individual diseases, it would be easier to track progress, allocate resources effectively, and improve patient outcomes.
One proposed solution is to appoint a Czar for each major disease, responsible for developing and overseeing a strategic plan. This Czar would work with an Advisory Board representing patient interests to establish a standard of care for the disease and provide recommendations for research funding.
Additionally, existing industry resources would be allocated on a virtual basis to each major disease. This would ensure that providers of care, researchers, pharmaceutical companies, and regulatory bodies are all working together towards a common goal of improving disease management outcomes.
Overall, this new approach aims to address the information failure in chronic illnesses and improve the interplay between supply and demand in the healthcare industry. By focusing on disease management and incorporating patient input through Advisory Boards, the industry can work towards better performance outcomes and more efficient resource allocation.
**FAQs:**
**1. How will restructuring the healthcare industry by disease management improve outcomes?**
By organizing resources and efforts around specific diseases, it will be easier to track progress, allocate resources effectively, and ensure that all stakeholders are working towards a common goal of improving disease management outcomes.
**2. How will patient interests be represented in this new approach?**
Each major disease would have an Advisory Board tasked with representing patient interests and providing recommendations for care and research funding. This input would act as a proxy for patient demand in the industry.
**3. What role would the Czar play in each major disease category?**
The Czar would be responsible for developing and overseeing the strategic plan for the disease, coordinating activities of providers of care, and ensuring a proper balance between the cost and benefit of the regulatory process.
**Conclusion:**
The healthcare industry in the United States is in dire need of restructuring to address the rising costs and poor performance outcomes. By organizing resources around disease management and incorporating patient input through Advisory Boards, the industry can work towards better outcomes and improved efficiency. It’s time for a change in the healthcare industry to ensure a stable and sustainable system for the future.